Methods and kits for enhancing the ability to learn in a puppy or kitten

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are processes for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to the puppy or kitten a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid. 
     Further disclosed are processes for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to a respective maternal animal a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid during gestation, nursing, or weaning of the puppy or kitten. 
     Further disclosed are kits comprising a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid; and information that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/507,881,filed Oct. 1, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods or kits that are useful forenhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten. The methods and kitsutilize a composition comprising an essential fatty acid componentcomprising a therapeutically effective amount of DHA in an orallyadministrable composition such as a supplement or food.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ability to learn in a puppy or kitten is an important attribute forsuccessful social and physical interaction between the animal and human,such as an owner or other guardian. For example, this is particularlyimportant in the training of future working dogs, such as police dogs,hunting dogs, or service dogs, but may be equally important forsuccessful socialization of the typical companion animal. However,training puppies or kittens in this regard has proven difficult andoften requires extensive intervention, such as obedience schools andother formal trainings. Even with such formal trainings, the puppy orkitten may not be successfully trained or have the capacity tosuccessfully learn expected tasks. Moreover, brain development andcognitive function may not develop successfully despite measures totrain the animal.

As such both puppies and kittens are in need of measures which canenhance their brain development, cognitive function, or ability to learnor train.

Omega-3-fatty acids and omega-6-fatty acids are components which haverecently become interesting to researchers for a variety of reasons. Forexample, these components have been shown to provide a variety ofbeneficial results in the human species, for example, in terms ofcardiac or skin health. Moreover, cognitive function in humans ingestingenriched meat sources of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids hasbeen disclosed. However, it appears that the cognitive effects of thesefatty acids have not been extensively studied in animals such as dogs orcats.

Ishihara et al. have reported that theanine can assist with thesuppression of behavior problems in dogs and cats, which may optionallybe used in combination with highly unsaturated fatty acids. Ishihara etal. do not speculate regarding the efficacy of such fatty acids in theabsence of theanine, nor is there any indication that there is anyeffect of theanine beyond suppression of unfavorable behavior. See U.S.Pat. No. 6,297,280. Moreover, puppies, regardless of birth status, arenot studied. See JP 8070786.

However, certain uses of omega-3-fatty acids and omega-6-fatty acidshave been studied in companion animals. The present inventor haspreviously reported the surprising effect of omega-3-fatty acids andomega-6-fatty acids in the reproductive performance of canines andfelines. In such report, the inventor has described that upon feedingthe diet containing the omega-3-fatty acids and omega-6-fatty acids, theessential fatty acid status in the maternal animal is maintained andlitter size is maintained through subsequent parities. In contrast, whenthe maternal animal is not fed diets containing the enriched sources ofomega-3-fatty acids and omega-6-fatty acids, the essential fatty acidstatus in subsequent parities decreases, which decreases overallreproductive performance and live birth successes. See WO 01/37678.

Further extensive studies conducted by the present inventor haveresulted in the present invention described herein. In particular, thepresent inventor has discovered processes of enhancing ability to learnin a puppy or kitten, which processes utilize a composition comprising atherapeutically effective amount of a component selected from the groupconsisting of omega-3-fatty acids, omega-6-fatty acids, and mixturesthereof. Even further surprisingly, administration may be directly tothe puppy or kitten in need of treatment, or directly to the respectivematernal animal with similar results. These and other advantages aredescribed in further detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to processes for enhancing ability tolearn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to the puppyor kitten a composition comprising an essential fatty acid componentcomprising a therapeutically effective amount of DHA.

The invention is further directed to processes for enhancing ability tolearn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to arespective maternal animal a composition comprising an essential fattyacid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of DHAduring gestation, nursing, or weaning of the puppy or kitten.

The invention is further directed to kits comprising a compositioncomprising an essential fatty acid component comprising atherapeutically effective amount of DHA and information that use of thecomposition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten.

These and other aspects of the present invention are described infurther detail herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the effect of maternal dietary DHA on the DHA status of thepuppies at days 14, 28 and 42 of age (P14, P28 and WO, respectively).See Example 1 herein.

FIG. 2 shows a maze which is herein utilized to test the trainingability of puppies fed various diets, including those compositions ofthe present invention. See Example 2 herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various documents including, for example, publications and patents, arerecited throughout this disclosure. All such documents are herebyincorporated by reference.

All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwiseindicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated based on the totalcomposition unless otherwise indicated.

Referenced herein are trade names for components including variousingredients utilized in the present invention. The inventors herein donot intend to be limited by materials under a certain trade name.Equivalent materials (e.g., those obtained from a different source undera different name or reference number) to those referenced by trade namemay be substituted and utilized in the descriptions herein.

In the description of the invention various embodiments or individualfeatures are disclosed. As will be apparent to the ordinarily skilledpractitioner, all combinations of such embodiments and features arepossible and can result in preferred executions of the presentinvention.

The compositions herein may comprise, consist essentially of, or consistof any of the elements as described herein.

While various embodiments and individual features of the presentinvention have been illustrated and described, various other changes andmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. As will also be apparent, all combinations of theembodiments and features taught in the foregoing disclosure are possibleand can result in preferred executions of the invention.

As used herein, the term “ability to learn” with reference to a givenpuppy or kitten shall include the following to the extent that thefollowing may be interpreted as differing: ability to learn, ability totrain, brain development, cognitive function, and the like. Among thedescribed properties, cognitive function, ability to learn, ability totrain, and combinations thereof are particularly interesting as theseproperties are descriptive of results which are readily observable bythe owner of the puppy or kitten.

As used herein, the term “DHA” refers to docosahexaenoic acid.

As used herein, the term “kitten” refers to a domestic feline which isabout 3 years old or less, alternately about 2 years old or less,alternately about 1 year old or less, all of which shall includereference to the feline in its gestational state.

As used herein, the term “puppy” refers to a domestic canine which isabout 3 years old or less, alternately about 2 years old or less,alternately about 1 year old or less, all of which shall includereference to the canine in its gestational state. Processes directed toability to learn in puppies are particularly interesting herein.

As used herein, the term “respective maternal animal,” with reference toa puppy or kitten, refers to the biological mother of the referencedpuppy or kitten (regardless of birth status, i.e. whether the referencedpuppy or kitten is still in its gestational state).

The Processes of the Present Invention

The present processes are defined herein in a number of embodiments, allrelating to the discoveries made by the present inventor. In particular,the present inventor has previously discovered that the essential fattyacid status of an animal is associated with the reproductive performanceof the animal. For example, it has been found that in canines, with eachsubsequent parity, the essential fatty acid status of the bitch declinesdue to a depletion of selected omega-3-fatty acids and omega-6-fattyacids. See WO 01/37678.

Among other discoveries herein, it has been found that therapeuticallyeffective DHA supplementation can enhance ability to learn in a puppy orkitten. Further to this discovery, such supplementation can surprisinglybe made through oral administration of a composition described hereindirectly to the puppy or kitten, or to the respective maternal animalduring the gestational, nursing, or weaning processes, or anycombination thereof, with similarly advantageous results.

Consistent with these discoveries, the present invention relates tovarious processes for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten.

In one embodiment, the processes relate to oral administration of acomposition described herein directly to a puppy or kitten. In thisembodiment, the invention is a process of enhancing ability to learn ina puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to the puppy or kittena composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising atherapeutically effective amount of DHA. In an optional aspect of thisembodiment, the compositions are administered during at least weaning ofthe puppy or kitten from its respective maternal animal. That is, inthis optional aspect, the puppy or kitten experiencing weaning isadministered the composition, and may optionally be administered thecomposition subsequent to weaning as well. In another optional aspect ofthis embodiment, the compositions are administered at least subsequentto weaning. The various embodiments of the composition used in thismethod, including forms or the composition and levels of variouscomponents contained therein, are described in further detail hereinbelow.

In another embodiment of the processes herein, the invention is processfor enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orallyadministering to a respective maternal animal a composition comprisingan essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effectiveamount of DHA during gestation, nursing, weaning, or any combinationthereof, of the puppy or kitten. The various embodiments of thecomposition used in this method, including forms or the composition andlevels of various components contained therein, are described in furtherdetail herein below.

As used herein with respect to the processes of this invention, theterms “orally administering,” “oral administration” or the like meansthat the puppy, kitten, or respective maternal animal, as applicable,ingests or is directed to ingest one or more compositions describedherein, or the owner of such puppy, kitten, or respective maternalanimal is directed to provide one or more compositions to the puppy,kitten, or respective maternal animal. Wherein the owner is directed toprovide, such direction may be that which instructs and/or informs theowner that use of the composition may and/or will provide one or more ofthe benefits described herein, such as enhancing ability to learn in apuppy or kitten. For example, such direction may be oral direction(e.g., through oral instruction from, for example, a veterinarian, otherhealth professional, sales professional or organization, and/or radio ortelevision media (i.e., advertisement) or written direction (e.g.,through written direction from, for example, a veterinarian or otherhealth professional (e.g., scripts), sales professional or organization(e.g., through, for example, marketing brochures, pamphlets, or otherinstructive paraphernalia), written media (e.g., internet, electronicmail, or other computer-related media), and/or containing devicesassociated with the composition (e.g., a label present on a packagecontaining the composition).

The compositions may be administered in accordance with a variety offrequencies or durations. For example, wherein the compositions are foodcompositions, the compositions are typically administered from oncedaily to about four times daily, alternately from once daily to aboutthree times daily, alternately from once daily to about two times daily,alternately ad libitum. In order to achieve the benefits herein, it ispreferred that the compositions are administered for at least about oneweek, alternatively at least about two weeks, alternately at least aboutthree weeks, alternately at least about four weeks, alternately at leastabout 6 weeks, alternately at least about eight weeks, or in anunlimited duration. Alternatively or additionally, the compositions areadministered during gestation (i.e., administration to the respectivematernal animal), during nursing (i.e., administration to the respectivematernal animal), during the weaning processes (i.e., administration tothe respective maternal animal or the puppies or kittens), subsequent toweaning, or any combination thereof.

The Kits of the Present Invention

The present invention further relates to kits which assist withcommunicating the benefits of the discoveries made herein to, forexample, an animal owner or other guardian or interested individual. Inparticular, the present kits comprise:

-   -   (a) a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component        comprising a therapeutically effective amount of DHA; and    -   (b) information that use of the composition will enhance ability        to learn in a puppy or kitten.

In accordance with the previously described processes, the compositionsutilized in the kits may be intended for use by the puppy, kitten,respective maternal animal, or any combinations thereof.

The kits of the present invention may comprise one or more compositionstogether with information which informs a user of the kit, or owner,other guardian, or other interested individual, by words, pictures,and/or the like, that use of the kit may and/or will provide enhancedability to learn. Such information need not utilize the actual wordsused herein, for example, “brain”, “development”, “cognitive”, “learn”,“train”, or the like, but rather use of words, pictures, symbols, andthe like conveying the same or similar meaning are contemplated withinthe scope of this invention. The information is preferably consistentwith the various embodiments of the processes described herein above.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the information is printed on acontainer holding the composition, e.g., a bag, can, carton, pouch, orother container used in the dog (including puppy) or cat (includingkitten) food arts. These preferred kits may be in the form of onecontainer containing the composition, or may be obtained as a pluralityof containers each containing the composition. For example, the kits maybe obtained as one bag, or cases of four, six, eight, or twelve cans orother like containers co-packaged together.

The Compositions Used in Accordance With the Present Invention

The present methods and kits utilize a composition comprising anessential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effectiveamount of DHA. As has been stated, as used herein, the term “DHA” refersto docosahexaenoic acid.

The essential fatty acid component comprises at least DHA, but mayoptionally comprise one or more other essential fatty acids as well. Asused herein, the essential fatty acids include omega-3-fatty acids andomega-6-fatty acids.

DHA is a well-known omega-3-fatty acid. As is well-understood in theart, omega-3-fatty acids are those fatty acid materials having anomega-3 double bond wherein the first double bond in the carbon chain ispositioned between the third and fourth carbon atoms of the fatty acidchain, when counting from the omega (distal) carbon atom of the chain.

Omega-3-fatty acids are preferably derived from marine (fish) sources,including menhaden (a herring-like fish) and, as such, may be deliveredin the form of such sources. Non-limiting examples of omega-3-fatty acidsources include OMEGAPURE, commercially available from Omega Protein,Inc., Houston, Tex.. All forms of the fatty acid are also contemplatedherein. For example, DHA is often provided as a triglyceride. As such,wherein a specific fatty acid is mentioned (e.g., “DHA”), such fattyacid includes the free form of the fatty acid as well as other formssuch as the naturally occurring triglyceride or other form. The terms,DHA, EPA, or other specific terms are utilized for convenience as willbe commonly understood in the art to include all forms of such termedmaterial.

Non-limiting examples of omega-3-fatty acids which are suitable for useherein include eicosapentaenoic acid (also known as EPA) and, of course,the DHA.

Omega-6-fatty acids may be utilized herein. As is well-understood in theart, omega-6-fatty acids are those fatty acid materials having a doublebond positioned between the sixth and seventh carbon atoms of the fattyacid chain, when counting from the omega (distal) carbon atom of thechain.

Often the compositions utilized herein will comprise a mixture ofomega-3-fatty acids and omega-6-fatty acids, often through utilizationof various materials containing these components. Preferred compositionsfor use herein may be enriched in one or more specific omega-3-fattyacids or omega-6-fatty acids.

The composition may be of any form that is orally administrable. Forexample, the composition may be a supplement or a food composition.Supplements may include dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, or thelike, or other forms such as biscuits, chews, or other treats. Foodcompositions are readily understood in the art, for example, dry foods,semi-moist foods, and wet foods, all utilized as canine (includingpuppy) or feline (including kitten) foods.

As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount,” withreference to the DHA used herein, means that amount of DHA sufficient toprovide enhanced ability to learn in a puppy or kitten, whetheradministered to directly to the puppy or kitten itself or directly tothe respective maternal animal. The specific “therapeutically effectiveamount” will vary with such factors as the physical condition of thepuppy or kitten, the age or birth status of the puppy or kitten, theduration of treatment, the nature of concurrent therapy (if any), thespecific form of composition to be used, and the like, which will bewell understood by one of ordinary skill given the disclosures providedherein.

As another example, wherein the composition is a food composition, thecomposition may for example comprise, on a dry matter basis, at leastabout 0.06%, alternatively at least about 0.1%, alternatively at leastabout 0.12%, alternatively from about 0.1% to about 1%, or alternativelyfrom about 0.1% to about 1% of DHA, by weight of the composition. Asanother example, food compositions may often comprise, on a dry matterbasis, from about 0.1% to about 15%, alternatively from about 0.2% toabout 10%, alternatively from about 0.5% to about 9%, alternatively fromabout 1% to about 9% of essential fatty acids, by weight of thecomposition.

As another example, supplement compositions such as biscuits, chews,gravies or other treats or supplements, including milks or milkreplacers may for example comprise, on a dry matter basis, at leastabout 0.06%, alternatively at least about 0.1%, alternatively at leastabout 0.12%, alternatively from about 0.1% to about 75%, oralternatively from about 0.1% to about 1% of DHA, by weight of thecomposition. As another example, such supplement compositions may oftencomprise, on a dry matter basis, from about 0.1% to about 75%,alternatively from about 0.2% to about 10%, alternatively from about0.5% to about 9%, alternatively from about 1% to about 9% of essentialfatty acids, by weight of the composition.

Other supplement forms such as tablets, capsules, or the like may oftenfor example comprise higher levels of DHA or essential fatty acids (interms of percent level by weight of the composition) relative tobiscuits, chews, gravies or other treats, including milks or milkreplacers, or relative to food compositions.

Other components are beneficial for inclusion in the compositions usedherein, but are optional for purposes of the invention. For example,food compositions are preferably nutritionally balanced. Foodcompositions may, for example, include kibbles, semi-moist, or wetfoods, as well as milks and milk replacers (milks and milk replacers, asused herein, may be either foods or supplements). In one embodiment, thefood compositions may comprise, on a dry matter basis, from about 20% toabout 50% protein, or from about 22% to about 40% protein, by weight ofthe food composition. As another example, the food compositions maycomprise, on a dry matter basis, from about 5% to about 35% fat, or fromabout 10% to about 30% fat, by weight of the food composition. Inanother embodiment, supplement compositions such as biscuits, chews, andother treats may comprise, on a dry matter basis, from about 20% toabout 50% protein, or from about 22% to about 40% protein, by weight ofthe supplement composition. As another example, these types ofsupplement compositions may comprise, on a dry matter basis, from about5% to about 35% fat, or from about 10% to about 30% fat, by weight ofthe supplement composition. As yet another example, supplementcompositions such as gravies or other food toppings may often comprisefrom about at least about 0.5% protein, or at least about 0.8% protein,by weight of the supplement composition. As yet another example,supplement compositions such as gravies or other food toppings may oftencomprise from about at least about 1% fat, or at least about 2% fat, orfrom about 1% to about 5% fat, by weight of the supplement composition.As yet another example, supplement compositions such as gravies or otherfood toppings may often comprise from about at least about 50% moisture,or at least about 70% moisture, or from about 70% to about 99% moisture.Food and supplement compositions intended for use by canines or felinesare commonly known in the art.

In an optional and not required embodiment herein, the compositionsutilized may be substantially free of theanine. As used herein,“substantially free of theanine” means that the compositions compriseless than about 0.06% theanine, or even less than about 0.00025%theanine, by weight of the composition. A discussion of theanine isprovided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,280.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided to illustrate the invention and arenot intended to limit the scope thereof in any manner.

Example 1

The effect of maternal animal diet on puppy DHA status is evaluated. Twogroups of maternal animals are fed a nutritionally balanced composition.However, one group of maternal animals is fed a nutritionally balancedcomposition comprising about 0.14% DHA, by weight of the composition(“Diet A”). The other group of maternal animals is fed a nutritionallybalanced composition comprising about 0.02% DHA, by weight of thecomposition (“Diet B”). The maternal animals nurses their respectivepuppies, and the DHA Sufficiency Index of the puppies is measured at 14(“P14”), 28 (“P28”), and 42 (“WO”) days of age. The DHA SufficiencyIndex is the relative ratio between DHA (22:6n-3) and the omega-6-fattyacid known as osbond acid (22:5n-6), as measured via red blood cellmembrane. FIG. 1 demonstrates that the DHA Sufficiency Index (asindicated by y-axis of the figure) is significantly higher in thepuppies nursing from their respective maternal animal which is fed DietA relative to the puppies nursing from their respective maternal animalwhich is fed Diet B. It is therefore concluded that DHA status ofpuppies nursing from their respective maternal animal consuming acomposition containing about 0.14% DHA is significantly higher than thatof puppies nursing from their respective maternal animal consuming acomposition containing about 0.02% DHA, and this effect is enhancedsignificantly through duration of nursing.

Example 2

A study is conducted to determine effect of compositions describedherein upon the ability of puppies to learn in a training environment.

Ten purebred beagle puppies are randomized and assigned to Group 1(n=3), Group 2 (n=3), or Group 3 (n=4). Each of the puppies is aboutnine weeks of age. Their respective weights are appropriate for age andbody size.

Three treatment compositions are utilized for the study. Thesecompositions are: 1) for Group 1, a nutritionally balanced foodcomposition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprisingabout 0.14% DHA, by weight of the composition; 2) for Group 2, anutritionally balanced food composition which is similar in all respectsexcept that the essential fatty acid component comprises about 0.08%DHA, by weight of the composition; and 3) for Group 3, a nutritionallybalanced food composition which is similar in all respects except thatthe essential fatty acid component comprises about 0.02% DHA, by weightof the composition.

The respective maternal animal for each puppy in Group 1 receives, adlibitum, a nutritionally balanced food composition comprising anessential fatty acid component comprising about 0.14% DHA, by weight ofthe composition, during gestation, nursing, or weaning (or anycombination thereof) of such puppy.

The respective maternal animal for each puppy in Group 2 receives, adlibitum, a nutritionally balanced food composition comprising anessential fatty acid component comprising about 0.08% DHA, by weight ofthe composition, during gestation, nursing, or weaning (or anycombination thereof) of such puppy.

The respective maternal animal for each puppy in Group 3 receives, adlibitum, a nutritionally balanced food composition comprising anessential fatty acid component comprising about 0.02% DHA, by weight ofthe composition, during gestation, nursing, or weaning (or anycombination thereof) of such puppy.

Throughout the study, the puppies are fed their respective compositionstwice daily. Treats are utilized for training purposes; the treats whichare used are PURINA® Puppy Canned Formula.

The study utilizes a room having a maze constructed in generalaccordance with the maze illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring now to FIG. 2,Point A Crate is a starting area and contains a crate with a door thatcannot be seen through. This crate door is easily opened by a studytechnician. The crate allows immediate entrance into the maze when thedoor is opened. The crate door is opened either upward or flat, or bysome other means such that the maze path is not obstructed. Point B MazeSymbol contains one of two symbols (i.e., a circle and square)indicating to the trained puppy where the treat will be located. Thesymbol is attached at a height which is easily visualized by the puppy.Point C Treat Pan is the ending location where the treat pan will belocated. Point C Treat Pan is the correct designation for a mazedesignated left. Point D Treat Pan is the ending location where anothertreat pan will be located. Point D Treat Pan is the correct designationfor a maze designated right.

Prior to training, each puppy is randomly assigned two symbol-directioncombinations. The possible groupings are identified below as Groups Aand B:

Group A Group B Circle - Right (CR) Circle - Left (CL) Square - Left(SL) Square - Right (SR)

Training with assistance takes place for one week. Each puppy is trainedin accordance to whether it is a Group A puppy or a Group B puppy. ForGroup A puppies, the puppy is trained numerous times to learn that if atreat is placed on the circle at Point B Maze Symbol, then another treatis located to the right at Point D Treat Pan. Likewise, for Group Apuppies, the puppy is trained the same number of time to learn that if atreat is placed on the square at Point B Maze Symbol, then another treatis located to the left at Point C Treat Pan. Group B puppies will followthis same outline with the exception that sessions with a circle as thesymbol will go to the left and a square as the symbol will go right. Allpuppies are trained the same number of times for each symbol, usinglearning procedures such as placing a trail of treats in the correctdirection.

Following the one-week training period, each puppy enters the dailytesting period. During this period each puppy receives three sessionsper day (Monday through Friday) with seven trials in each session for atotal of twenty-one trials per day.

Each puppy will have a randomized trial order. The starting point forall puppies is Point A Crate. Once a puppy has turned right or leftcoming out of Point A Crate and passed a point approximately 4 feet tothe left or right of the Point B Maze Symbol, that direction isconsidered the choice and the maze trial is scored either correct orincorrect. Should a puppy proceed in the wrong direction, a blockinggate will prevent it from turning around and reaching the treat. Eachpuppy is tested until it achieves a success criteria, which is definedas scoring 12 of 14 correct test over two consecutive sessions or 17 of21 correct test over three consecutive sessions. After achieving asuccess criteria, a puppy is switched to the opposing group. Testingwill continue in this manner until the end of the study period, 25 testdays, or a puppy achieves three success criteria.

For Group 1 puppies (composition comprising an essential fatty acidcomponent comprising about 0.14% DHA, by weight of the composition),100% of the puppies achieved a single success criteria. For Group 1puppies, 66% of the puppies achieved two success criteria.

For Group 2 puppies (composition comprising an essential fatty acidcomponent comprising about 0.08% DHA, by weight of the composition), 66%of the puppies achieved a single success criteria. For Group 2 puppies,0% of the puppies achieved two success criteria.

For Group 3 puppies (composition comprising an essential fatty acidcomponent comprising about 0.02% DHA, by weight of the composition), 50%of the puppies achieved a single success criteria. For Group 3 puppies,0% of the puppies achieved two success criteria.

Example 3

A study is conducted to determine effect of compositions describedherein upon the ability of puppies to learn in a training environment.

Twelve purebred beagle puppies are randomized and assigned to eitherGroup 1 or Group 2. Each of Groups 1 and 2 contains six of the puppies.Each of the puppies is about nine weeks of age. Their respective weightsare appropriate for age and body size.

Two treatment compositions are utilized for the study. Thesecompositions are: 1) for Group 1, a nutritionally balanced foodcomposition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising0.18% DHA, by weight of the composition; and 2) for Group 2, anutritionally balanced food composition which is similar in all respectsexcept that the essential fatty acid component comprises 0.02% DHA, byweight of the composition.

Throughout the study, the puppies are fed their respective compositionsad libitum. Treats are utilized for training purposes; the treats whichare used are PURINA® Puppy Canned Formula.

The study utilizes three doors of identical size and shape. Each puppyis randomly assigned to one of three doors along with a random symbol(circle or square) for location training. The objective of the study isto train the puppy to reach the “correct” door, i.e. the door bearingthe shape which is assigned to the respective puppy. A box is markedwith tape in front of each door. The puppy must have front paw(s) in thebox before the door is opened, revealing the treat. Treats are placed ina manner such to eliminate scent cues. Following training, all puppiesare tested to determine their ability to locate an assigned location(door). All puppies, regardless of group, achieved greater than 90%correct scores.

Following location training, each puppy receives two days of shapetraining, wherein the study shapes are randomly placed on differentdoors simultaneously. The objective is to determine whether the puppylearns that the symbol is associated with the treat target, not the doorlocation. Following this training, each puppy received two testingsessions to determine ability to identify the symbol as the cue. A puppyis determined to pass if at least 80% of the test is correct. Puppiesthat failed are given two additional days of training and are retested.A puppy is given a maximum of three attempts to pass the multiple shapetesting.

Each puppy is randomly assigned a shape of either a square or a circle.The “correct” door is the door bearing the shape which is assigned tothe puppy; the location of the “correct” door is systematically modifiedthroughout the study such that the puppy must learn to identify with theshape rather than the location of the door. The puppies are trained forseveral days in order to learn the process of choosing the “correct”door within a time period of two minutes. Training occurs with variouslearning procedures, including placing a trail of treats in front of the“correct” door.

After several days of training, the learning procedures are eliminatedand the puppy performs without intervention. The puppy is given twominutes to reach the “correct” door. If the puppy fails to reach the“correct” door within the two minute time period, the puppy receives anincorrect score for that attempt. If the puppy reaches the “correct”door within the two minute time period, the puppy receives a correctscore for that attempt.

Overall, 50% of the puppies in Group 1 passed the test on their initialtesting compared to only 16% of the puppies in Group 2. Followingadditional training days, 75% of the Group 1 passed compared to only 45%of the puppies in Group 2.

Example 4

The following dog food composition, in the form of kibbles, is to feedpuppies or their respective maternal animals with the objective ofachieving the benefits of the present invention:

EUKANUBA® Puppy Weaning Diet Formula; EUKANUBA® Puppy Small BreedFormula; EUKANUBA® Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula; EUKANUBA® PremiumPerformance (including Large Breed) Formula; and EUKANUBA® PremiumPerformance Formula; EUKANUBA® Kitten Chicken & Rice Formula; allcommercially available from The Jams Company, Dayton, Ohio. Guaranteedanalyses of such products are publicly available. The compositions maybe made according to processes which are known in the art.

1-41. (canceled)
 42. A process for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to the puppy or kitten a composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 75%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid.
 43. The composition of claim 42, further comprising an omega-6 fatty acid.
 44. The process according to claim 42, wherein the composition is a supplement composition.
 45. The process according to claim 42, wherein the composition is a food composition comprising, on a dry matter basis, from about 0.1% to about 15% docosahexaenoic acid, by weight of the composition.
 46. The process according to claim 45, wherein said food composition further comprises: protein in an amount of from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis; and fat in an amount of from about 5% to about 35% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis.
 47. The process according to claim 42, wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of biscuits, chews, gravies, treats, nutritionally balanced kibbles, and semi-moist foods.
 48. The process according to claim 42, wherein the composition is orally administered during at least weaning of the puppy or kitten.
 49. A process for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to a respective maternal animal a composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 75%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid during gestation, weaning, or nursing of the puppy or kitten.
 50. The composition of claim 49, further comprising an omega-6 fatty acid.
 51. The process according to claim 49, wherein the composition is a supplement composition.
 52. The process according to claim 49, wherein the composition is a food composition comprising, on a dry matter basis, from about 0.1% to about 15% docosahexaenoic acid, by weight of the composition.
 53. The process according to claim 52, wherein said food composition further comprises: protein in an amount of from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis; and fat in an amount of from about 5% to about 35% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis.
 54. The process according to claim 49, wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of biscuits, chews, gravies, treats, nutritionally balanced kibbles, and semi-moist foods.
 55. The process according to claim 49, wherein the composition is orally administered during at least weaning of the puppy or kitten.
 56. The process according to claim 49, further comprising the step of orally administering to the puppy or kitten the composition during weaning of the puppy or kitten.
 57. A kit comprising: (a) a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid; and (b) information that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten.
 58. The kit according to claim 57 wherein the composition is a supplement comprising from about 0.1% to about 75%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid or a food composition from about 0.1% to about 15%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid.
 59. The kit according to claim 58 wherein the food composition further comprises, on a dry matter basis, from about 20% to about 50% protein and from about 5% to about 35% fat, by weight of the composition.
 60. The kit according to claim 57 wherein the information is that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten upon oral administration to the puppy or kitten.
 61. The kit according to claim 57 wherein the information is that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten upon oral administration to a respective maternal animal during a process selected from the group consisting of gestation, nursing, weaning, and combinations thereof of the puppy or kitten. 